IPY: Observing the Dynamics of the Deepest Waters in the Arctic Ocean

Funds are provided to support field research and analysis that will begin to develop an understanding of the dynamics and properties of the deep waters of the Canada Basin. The work builds on preliminary deep mooring observations near 2500-m depth that suggest a dynamically active environment in these deep waters, not the quiet basin previously assumed. The aim of the proposed work is to observe the horizontal and vertical motion in the deep Canada Basin over one year. To this end, the co-PIs will add instruments to the deep portion of two moorings that are scheduled to be deployed in the Canada Basin for one IPY year (2007-2008). The additional instruments will record velocity, pressure, temperature, and salinity below 2200 m. These will provide long time-series measurements in the deep Canada Basin, and will be a vital component of the "snapshot in time" of the state of the Arctic Ocean between 2007 and 2009.